Question 1

okay, so to follow up my previous question. I would have to buy this http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116716 so i can reformat as much as i want. Is this a dvd or didgital download? i would perfer dvd

Accepted Answer

This is a DVD, HARD copy. This specific version does not tie your key with any components of PC your such as your motherboard, which newer OEM versions are doing. You can reformat indefinitely, upgrade any part without issues, rebuild a whole new PC, and not incur validation issues.

Question 2

Is this a 64 bit or 32 bit edition?

Accepted Answer

Microsoft includes 2 installation DVDs in the package - 1 with the 32-bit OS edition and the other with the 64-bit OS edition.  You are permitted to install and activate only one edition with the provided license, so you simply pick whichever edition you want.

Question 3

What's the difference between this product and microsoft windows 7 sp1 OEM? Does the Windows 7 sp1 come with windows 7 as well as the other updates? What does OEM mean ?

Accepted Answer

My understanding is that this product (not the OEM versions) may be installed in the future in other systems, although not on more than one system at a time.

OEM stands for Original Equipment Manufacturer.  My understanding about the OEM version is that once it is installed on a system, it cannot ever be installed on any other system.  It becomes associated with the hardware such as motherboard and hard drive of the system it is installed on.  I believe Microsoft would make exceptions if you made updates or repairs on the original system that the software determined to be a new system - you could call and explain the situation to get a new software key.

Even though the Newegg product description does not state that my product "the non OEM version" was SP1, the disks I received are labeled SP1.  There were still almost 200 updates that needed to be installed after I installed the SP1 version.  The process of downloading and installing all the updates took over four hours.

My package came with two discs - one for 32-bit, one for 64-bit.

Hope this helps!

Question 4

I'm building a system from the ground up. Is this the version of Windows 7 Home Premium I need? I know it is not OEM that I want. I've heard chatter about how I'd need the "retail" version. And I don't know if this is that.
Also, I've a netbook and a notebook running XP. Is there any chance I have an extra license (or two) that will allow me to upgrade those using this product?

Accepted Answer

The difference between the OEM version and the retail version is the OEM version will allow you to install windows to one machine and one machine only. It will only work on that one machine. The retail version will allow you to install windows on one machine, then uninstall from that machine and reinstall on another machine. Keep in mind you can still only have it installed on one machine, but you are able to "move" the installation to different machines as you wish.

The product you are asking about is the retail version, and will allow you to "move" the installation if you need to. If you are building a system from the ground up, it might be best to buy the retail version in case something goes wrong with your hardware in which case, with the OEM version, if you require new hardware you will have to purchase another OEM version.

In regards to your upgrading question, you can purchase upgrades to windows 7 at a lesser price than the full version, but as always, nothing is free with windows. Good luck.

Question 5

I would like additional information on the license type.  Is this the full retail version of Windows 7 Home Premium.  Is this 32 bit or 64 bit or both?

Accepted Answer

Yes, this is the full retail version. And both 32 and 64 bit discs are included.

Question 6

What is the maximum ram this version will recognize?

Accepted Answer

Any 32-bit version of Windows is only able to address 4GB of RAM. Since some of this will be reserved for system use, you can expect to have 2.8 to 3.5GB available for use in a 4GB system, depending on your hardware configuration.
The 64-bit version of Win7 Home Premium can address up to 16GB of RAM (Home Basic - 8GB; Professional & Ultimate - 192GB).

Question 7

is this a retail version ?   cause I don't want an OEM version.

Accepted Answer

Yes. This is the full retail version. Not an OEM. Though i didn't think any full versions were all available for Win7.

Question 8

whats in the box?

Accepted Answer

Two install discs... one for Win 7 64-bit and the other for Win 7 32-bit depending on what your needs are.  Keys for both included.  You can install for at least 3 systems for both discs... and you can call Microsoft for more installs if needed with this  full retail version.   The other OEM version Newegg sells can only be installed on one system.  Also if you get OEM instead of this version... if you upgrade your computer system... the OEM is tied to your motherboard and you will have to purchase another one.   For the costs and convenience... this is the better value.

Question 9

is this the retail version or oem?

Accepted Answer

This was a full retail version. It installed and worked great! I did not upgrade or have windows installed prior.

Question 10

Include media?

Accepted Answer

Is running good on the one machine that I have it on. Well pleased with 7

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